REPORT OF OFFICE FOR EVANGELISATION & ECUMENISM
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2019 REPORT OF OFFICE FOR EVANGELISATION & ECUMENISM “The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus…I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelisation.” Evangelii Gaudium 1 WWW.EVANGELISATION.IE
CONTENTS
Page
Contents 1
Our Mission 2
The Team 3
Introduction 4
Section One “To Witness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel through promoting lifelong learning in
faith” 5
Section Two “Building Faith Communities” 15
Section Three “Discerning Innovative Ways to Engage with Contemporary Culture” 19
Section Four “Discerning the Paths – Pastoral Observations” 26
Section Five “Key Priorities for Moving Forward…” 30
Endnotes 32
1OUR PURPOSE
TO WITNESS TO JESUS CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL
THROUGH PROMOTING LIFELONG LEARNING IN
FAITH, BUILDING FAITH COMMUNITIES AND
DISCERNING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE
WITH CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
2THE TEAM
Director
Fr. Kieran Mc Dermott
Pastoral Co-ordinators:
Gerard Gallagher
Rosemary Lavelle
Patricia Carroll
Youth Outreach
Kirsten Mahon
Siobhan Tighe
Co-Ordinator of Biblical Studies
Dr Kieran O’Mahony OSA
Director of Pathways
Dr. Eileen Houlahan CHF.
Director for Weeks of Guided Prayer
Dr. Éibhlís NicUaithuas D.C.
Secretary
Mary Dent
Website – www.evangelisation.ie
3Introduction
All pastoral initiatives of the Office for Evangelisation and Ecumenism (from here on the Office
for E&E)) are situated within the path of renewal embarked upon in 2004. Archbishop Martin
entitled it, 'Working Together for Mission'. This call to renewal focussed directly on the
mission of the Church to announce more effectively the name and saving message of Jesus
within the Archdiocese.
The Archbishop emphasised that this was a task, not just for priests, but also for parish
communities and for the entire People of God. 'Working Together for Mission' was to be
rooted in an understanding of the calling of all Christians to the ministry of witness to their
faith within the ecclesial community and in the world.
Methodology
Following a facilitated process the Office for E&E sought how to discern and make real
Working Together for Mission. This process was underpinned through a prayerful time of
reflection with the whole team. The following statement emerged as the purpose of the Office
for E&E.
To Witness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel through
promoting lifelong learning in faith, building faith
communities and discerning innovative ways to
engage with contemporary culture
This report is structured under the headings of the ‘purpose statement’ which also acts as a
‘yard stick’ assessing the departments work, its successes, failures and identifying how it
might move forward.
Sections 1-3 directly reviews the work during the last year 2018-2019. Section 4 undertakes
analysis of the overall work.
Endnote
The Endnotes are numbered sequentially at the end of the Report. This provides a fuller
explanation of specific programmes.
Adult Faith Formation
Evangelisation is a lifelong process. It is a series of interconnected moments in the continuum
of our life of faith.
4In Share the Good News1, the parish community is identified as a particular locale for passing
on faith. It referenced adults in particular when it states, ‘adult faith development will be at
the centre of parish life’.
The Office for E&E supports the work of adult faith formation. This is given priority, as it is the
chief form and model for all catechesis.2 It is also one of the urgent religious and pastoral
needs in Ireland in our time. An educated world needs an educated faith, which is emphasised
in Share the Good News.
An important task is that of discerning what faith development supports are appropriate at
any given time within the life of the diocese. For example, the Godly Play initiative engages
children in experiences of biblical stories through play. In turn, it affects the “domestic
Church”.
Two courses have been devised and a third incorporated from All Hallows. These emphasise
participation of the lay faithful in the life of the church and the active and responsible
engagement of the laity in the building up of the Christian community.
These Foundational courses are:
Faith for Life (4 weekends)
Pathways (2 years – 1 evening per week)
The Best you Can Be, which takes place locally over 4 evenings inspired by ‘Evangelii
Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel'.3
These courses attempt to bring people to a new understanding of their call to mission through
a renewed relationship with Jesus. With a new understanding of their Baptism, participants
become active members and potential leaders in their parish communities.
Building Community
Initiatives focus on the building up of faith communities that are missionary in nature, as Pope
Francis puts it ‘in mission mode’.4
Parish Pastoral Councils (PPCs) are encouraged to enable lay people to take up their pastoral
leadership roles. Providing training opportunities for PPCs is a central part of the work, as
outlined in Section 2.
The Office for E&E team works in conjunction with the Diocesan Liturgical Resource Centre,
Office for Catechetical Formation and the Biblical Studies Coordinator. The Office for E&E
provides training to members of parish baptism groups, funeral ministry teams, and leaders
in sacramental initiation programmes.
The Young Church
Youth and Young Adult Ministry is a priority of the Office for E&E, it remains a challenging
ministry. The numbers of young people engaging in regular practice and expression of faith
continues to diminish.
5In 2014, the Archbishop made available St Paul’s Church, Arran Quay where a new youth team
to youth and youth adults was set up. A diocesan Parish Pastoral Worker skilled in this area
was seconded and a new staff member was recruited.
In response to the decline in parish based youth and young adult ministry, the Office for E&E
has tried to be innovative in engaging the culture of the young person. Effective use of various
Social Media platforms is KEY to any communication with the young. St Paul’s is a space for
faith to be experienced, and is deepened through prayer and formative training.
Ecumenism
The Office for E&E has given an important visible focal point for ecumenical matters and
serves as the point of contact with other Christian denominations. Ecumenical Bible Week,
which is organised by the Office for E&E and in partnership with the Combined Dioceses of
Dublin and Glendalough (Church of Ireland), has, over the past five years, emerged as a
significant moment in the Ecumenical calendar in Dublin.
6SECTION ONE
“TO WITNESS TO JESUS CHRIST AND HIS
GOSPEL THROUGH PROMOTING LIFELONG
LEARNING IN FAITH…
“I INVITE ALL CHRISTIANS, EVERYWHERE, AT THIS
VERY MOMENT, TO A RENEWED PERSONAL
ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS CHRIST, OR AT LEAST AN
OPENNESS TO LETTING HIM ENCOUNTER
THEM.”… EVANGELII GAUDIUM 3
The Office for E&E offers a range of opportunities for parishes, groups and individuals, accompanying
them to grow in faith. These opportunities are threefold: Adult Faith Formation Programmes, Ministry
Training & Interdepartmental Collaborations.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMMES
Faith For Life5
Faith For Life is designed and delivered through a partnership agreement with the Archdioceses of
Dublin and Liverpool. It has taken place in Dublin for the past seven years. A collaborative team,
including a Parish Pastoral Worker and some volunteers, who have completed the course, lead it.
Faith For Life consists of 4 modules:
Module 1: Called to become Human and Holy
Module 2: Centred on the Word of God
Module 3: Called to become Church in and for the World
Module 4: Called to live Faithfully
It enables participants to grow in confidence about their own faith. The Bible and Catholic Social
Teaching are foundation texts. Each theme in Faith for Life leads participants to consider:
Reflecting and Discerning as a way of life
Looking at themselves and their relationships in a new way.
Bringing about a change in lifestyle and attitudes in light of the Gospel.
7Best You Can Be6
Best You Can Be is a one-day introduction to Adult Faith for parishes with 4 themes:
What it means to journey towards an adult faith
Seeing God’s presence in the ordinary experiences of our ordinary lives.
Building faith community
Living with new vision and purpose
This course explores Pope Francis’ vision of missionary discipleship and adult faith. It also considers
the stages of faith and the participants’ images of God. Jesus is presented as the One who shows us
the way to be the best that we can be.
You Shall Be My Witnesses Programme7
A parish-based programme of four sessions, which invites and trains parents to be faith leaders for
children preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. The four themes are:
Belonging: How do I belong?
Believing: What do I believe?
Becoming a Witness: How do I share the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Beginning Again: What happens next, the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
Pathways8
This programme explores faith and ministry. It takes place in an environment appropriate to Adult
Learning and Adult Faith Development. It is suitable for adults of all ages who wish to explore:
Issues and questions of faith
The nature of belief
Ministry
The Church today and into the future.
The programme runs over two years from late September to end of May annually, on Thursday
evenings in Holy Cross Diocesan Centre. There are three optional Retreat Days each year usually on a
Saturday.
Bridge Programme9
The Bridge programme is an introduction to questions of faith for parents and which takes place over
five evenings. Conversations take place on the following themes:
Ten Ways to Help Your Family Grow in Faith
Making Mass Meaningful for You and Your Child
Bible Stories for You and Your Child
Talking to Your Child About Reconciliation
Praying with Your Child
PROCLAIM DAY for MINISTERS OF THE WORD10
A ministry morning took place on request from the Ballyfermot grouping of parishes and Raheny
parish. The themes covered:
Preparing head, heart and hands to read
8 The word before Jesus
The word after Jesus
Praying God’s word
Experiencing God’s word
Proclaiming: What will help people to listen and respond
LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS DAY for EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION11
A ministry morning took place on request from Ballyfermot group of parishes. There was a catechesis
on the Eucharist in order to grow in deeper understanding for ministry. The themes explored:
Giving thanks – the heart of our celebration
Different names same action
Source and Summit
A foot washing ministry
Living the Eucharist
Rejoice and Be Glad Book Club Training12
Prior to Lent a training took place for parishes to learn and reflect on Pope Francis’ exhortation Rejoice
and Be Glad. This was well received. Groups then gathered in parishes throughout the Lenten season.
This resource was also used in St. Paul’s Arran Quay with a group of young adults.
The training included:
How to set up a group
The Five themes
Guidelines for sharing
Images to explore
Saints to get to know
Relating this to our lives and journaling
Format for each session
Living Word Workshop for Lent13
Participants from parishes took part in training as leaders using reflective resources on the Sunday
readings. The format for each session was:
Read out loud
Reflect – with guided questions
Respond – with suggested prayers
Rest – with a word or a phrase
Parish groups met throughout the six weeks of Lent using this resource.
Children’s Liturgy Workshops14
Workshops were held in Holy Cross Diocesan Centre and two other parishes pre-Lent 2019. This
provided Children’s Liturgy leaders with resources for the Lenten season. Notes for leaders and digital
PowerPoint presentations on the Year of Luke were made available on the Evangelisation website.
9Godly Play15
The purpose of Godly play is to enable children to access sacred stories through play activities. Godly
Play takes place in Jobstown parish with an adult group and a separate children’s group. It is a
collaboration with the local Parish Pastoral Worker and the Office for E&E. The sessions take place in
rhythm with the Liturgical Year, with sessions taking place in Advent, Lent, Easter Season as well as
other times of the year. Godly play builds confidence in children and familiarises them with Christian
language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action – to help them understand the mystery
of God’s presence in their lives.
Family Mass Workshops16
20 parishes participated in training leaders and teams. Resources have been developed for the season
of Easter up until Pentecost to model common practice, these include:
Family Mass Format
Celebrating Masses with Children
Music to maximise participation
PowerPoints of scripture themes and images
Parish Parent Helps17
This is a resource for parishes to lead parent sessions about sacraments. There are four sessions
available to parishes to work with parents who are preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and
First Holy Communion with the following themes:
Session One: Home Coming
Session Two: Making Choices
Session Three: Remembering
Session Four: Let the Children Come to Me
First Communion & Confirmation Talks18 19
These talks enable parents to reconnect with their own faith journey in order to accompany their
children.
Weeks of Guided Prayer20
12 parishes or groups have taken part in this, with 230 participants. This helps parishioners to connect
with their own life of faith led by a prayer guide over the space of one week. Trained and experienced
prayer guides visit the parishes and are available for spiritual conversation and guidance. Depending
on the numbers taking part, guides are available on a morning, afternoon and evening slot for one
hour.
Cardinal Dew Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry21
“Launching Out - Lay Pastoral Ministry Development in Wellington”. Cardinal Dew, who was in Dublin
for the World Meeting of Families, shared how his Diocese had progressed lay ministry and supported
it to grow. The process of a diocesan Synod was outlined. This process led to a decision by Diocesan
leadership not to introduce the permanent Diaconate but to concentrate on strengthening lay
ministry. Themes for further consideration included ongoing pastoral support of lay ministers.
10Inter-departmental Collaborations
Liturgy Seminar
The team has contributed to annual Liturgy Seminars by offering input on Children’s Liturgy leadership
also on the theology and practice of Baptism.
Baptism Preparation22
The team made a contribution offering further formation for Baptism teams and for their own
enrichment about the meaning of Baptism for every Christian. This is bearing fruit in the development
of new approaches that are more family friendly and engaging. Resources developed are:
Prayer Tour of the Church
Baptism Welcome
Home Visit format
Home Blessing format
Our Journey Accompanying Families in steps and stages
Lenten Baptism Initiative
Resources were developed for all 199 parishes for use during the Lenten season, to connect everyone
more intentionally with the meaning of their own Baptism and a renewed understanding of it. These
resources included reflections, prayer of the faithful inserts and ideas for the Lent journey.
Funeral Ministry Training23
Ongoing support to parishes who wish to enable the diocesan Funeral Ministry Policy continued with
a joint initiative with the Liturgy office where training was provided in three modules.
Module One – Funeral Ministry Teams
Module Two – Policy and Ministry
Module Three – Planning and Praying
These were delivered over three Saturday mornings. 125 participants took part from 90 parishes with
very positive feedback.
Sacraments Review Group24
This is an initiative of the Priest’s Council to examine the Sacraments of Initiation and the way forward
for the Archdiocese. This group has been tasked to review the current practice of sacramental
preparation and has worked on a review instrument to enable the community of the Archdiocese to
feedback. The department is represented in this group and makes a significant contribution to
discussions in light of the pressing need to evangelise parents. Every parish and school was invited to
participate in the gathering of research as well as parents.
Catechesis in Non-Catholic school families: Meetings with the office for Catechetical Formation and
Education took place over the period of one year to look at ways to support family’s needs for
catechesis. Recommendations have been made to use the ‘Home’ section of Grow in Love as the
material for working with families.
11Pathways Collaboration
The Office for Evangelisation and Ecumenism contributes to leading sessions for Pathways giving input
on the following subjects:
The Liturgical Year – Advent, Christmas, Triduum and Easter Liturgies
Parish Pastoral Councils
Praying the Liturgy
Documents of Vatican II
The Universal Call to Holiness
Biblical Studies25
Throughout the year, practical ways to learn and study scripture is offered. These take place in a prayer
context.
Weekly resources are provided on the Sunday and the diocesan Biblical Studies co-ordinator,
distributes weekday readings. These aim to assist praying with the Word of God during Mass and in
prayer groups.
The School of the Word is a parish-based programme. Parishes can request one of three foundational
programmes linked to the lectionary including,
Introduction to the Gospel or the current liturgical year
Introduction to the Old Testament
Introduction to Paul and the second reading
The Scripture Summer School takes place annually and is a week-long non-residential programme with
eighteen lectures over five days.
OTHER COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES
Throughout the year members of the Office for E&E collaborate in many ways internally within
Archdiocese and externally in order to further the mission and purpose of our work.
Adult Faith Formation Group (AFF): 21 Parish Pastoral Workers plus 7 support workers have
gathered 6 times to share experiences and discern AFF needs together in an interdepartmental
initiative with the office for Catechetical Formation. This is bearing fruit in terms of clarity about
training needs and growing capacity in parishes for AFF.
Internal Diocesan Based Collaborations
Tulfaris in-service of new appointments in Archdiocese,
Pathways
Trócaire
Scripture Union
Emmanuel Schools Liturgical Music Programme
College Chaplains, Education Secretariat
Office for Catechetical Formation
Co-ordinator for Biblical Studies
12 Council for Priests
Pastoral Areas
Youth Collaborations
Momentum – Ecumenical Conference
World Meeting of Families – Youth and Teen Programmes
Pre-Synod meetings – Knock Shrine and Youth Synod in Rome
Laudate Si – Climate Protests and social justice movement
Howth Parish – Transition Year project (is this a repeat)
Catholic Youth Ministry Ireland Federation – National Training Day in St. Paul’s
Living Water – A young adult prayer group based in Clarendon Street.
Support to Celbridge youth club (4FY)
Support to Office for Clergy – Presentation on the work of the Youth Outreach St Paul’s
Trocaire – Lenten Stations of the Cross initiative
Catholic Schools Week – Bray
Local School Chaplains in Secondary Schools
Panama in Dublin – Emmaus Retreat Centre
Belvedere School Retreats – in St Paul’s
Support to Ember Retreat Teams – in collaboration with Education Secretariat.
Pieta House – Darkness into Light
Pathways - input with Year 1.
National Collaborations
National Liturgy Commission Membership: A member of the department sits on this
commission and has significant input to make on issues relating to evangelising parishes
about the role of Liturgy.
One team member is vice president of the National Women’s’ World Day Committee.
Member of Youth & Young Adult Committee of the Bishops Conference. National Catechetic
Committee Youth & Young adult Working Group
National Conference on Youth Ministry – Hosted in St. Paul’s.
Organisations and Movements collaborations
Net Ministries Ireland,
Vocation Ireland,
Trocaire
Shekinah Retreats,
Ember Retreat Programme,
Irish Capuchins
Church of Ireland – Combined Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough
World Meeting of Families
Alpha Ireland
Aid to the Church in Need
13International Collaborations
World Youth Day Panama and Holy See
Bishops Conferences’ of Latvia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Panama Archdiocese,
Aid to Church in Need – International
14SECTION TWO
“BUILDING FAITH COMMUNITIES…”
“A RENEWED UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNITY IN THE
CHURCH, AND IN THE WORLD, IS CENTRAL TO OUR SEARCH
FOR MEANING, EMBRACING, SUPPORTING AND
ENCOURAGING THE INDIVIDUAL AS SHE OR HE COMES TO
BELONG TO A VISION OF LOVE IN CHRIST. NEW LANGUAGE
MUST BE FOUND, TOO, IN ORDER TO SPEAK CLEARLY AND BE
HEARD EASILY BY THE PEOPLE OF OUR TIME, ESPECIALLY THE
YOUNG.” SHARE THE GOOD NEWS 24
Parish Pastoral Councils as envisaged in Living in Communion endeavour to be are faith-filled, co-
responsible leadership teams.26 They work in partnership with the priests and the parishioners to
further the mission of the Church in the local community. The team trains Parish Pastoral Councils to
grow into their roles. Training enables parish communities to be confident about lay mission of
leadership in order to strengthen service and outreach.
Annual Induction Day27
A daylong event where Parish Pastoral Councils are helped to understand their role and how they can
grow in confidence in becoming the servant leadership group for the parish. Training is focused on
collaboration discerning the local pastoral needs. Three essential skills are developed:
Prayer and discernment, which help parishes, make good decisions and build faith
communities.
Partnership – where laity and clergy work together for mission and are in continuous dialogue
with the parish community and neighbouring parishes.
Planning – where goals are set and pastoral priorities are named
Accompany Day28
The day focuses on how Parish Pastoral Councils can take up Pope Francis’ vision of accompanying
people on their journey of faith. Themes are:
The Principles of Accompaniment
Becoming an Accompanying parish
The Role of the PPC in enabling everyone
15Retreat Time29
Offered in response to feedback that most Parish Pastoral Councils are finding the process of
discerning difficult. The following themes shape the day.
God speaks to us
Listening to God’s voice
Considering and deciding together
Discerning together as a PPC
Discernment Process for Parish Pastoral Council30
A group of PPC members in Maynooth and interested parishioners took took part in 6 evenings
to learn about the art of discernment and how this influences pastoral planning.
Ongoing support and training31
40 parishes are currently being supported into a new way of working together. Many of these PPC’s
had lost focus and energy. Coordinators continue to provide resources to accompany them into a new
way of being Parish Pastoral Councils in conjunction with Living Communion.
By revising the principles and foundations of how they are meant to be working.
Working towards setting up new ways of developing pastoral strategies for the parish.
Working towards planning parish assemblies to listen to the parish and plan new ways
forward.
Parish Pastoral Council formation for Chairs and Presidents32
35 participants from 10 parishes from South Dublin and Tallaght deaneries took part in this.
Other Support Initiatives:
Pastoral Area Teams
The Office for E&E support the Area Teams in a variety of ways, including
Contributing to ministry support days in these areas and the parish gatherings in the deaneries
of Tallaght, South Dublin and Blessington, where there are 200 participants.
Deanery Reconciliation Service
200 took part in this in service in Advent and Lent, led by the Office for E&E and experienced
volunteers.
Renewal of Ministries33
38 participants took part in this from Blessington parish.
In Advent 2018, there was also a daylong ministry workshop with 65 participants in the
deanery of Fingal North where Skerries parish explored how baptism calls us to serve and how
to build team ministry.
Chaplaincy Day Support
This was a collaboration between Education Secretariat and Office for E&E, where a retreat experience
was developed based on reflecting on the World Meeting of Families Icon with 120 participants.
16Adult Faith Formation Forum
This collaboration is between Catechesis and Evangelisation and provides a forum for PPW’s and other
parish workers to discuss and progress initiatives relating to Faith Formation for Adults. In June, this
led to a gathering where training needs were identified more clearly resulting in working group of
three to set up a skill-based training for those accompanying parents.
Baptism Enrichment
This is a collaboration between Liturgy Office, Office for Catechesis and Office for E&E. Resources were
created for all parishes for Lent. Baptism teams were invited to four separate venues around the
Diocese to take part in a reflection evening on Baptism during Lent. Over 100 people participated in
this.
Sacramental Assemblies
The Office for E&E and the Office for Catechesis collaborated in offering four workshops in four areas
of the Archdiocese to unpack the findings of the Sacramental Review and listen to parishes responses.
17World Meeting of Families
“Gamble big, for your entire life! Take a risk! Because your
marriage is also a risk, but it is a risk worth taking. For your
whole life, because that is how love is.” Pope Francis,
Dublin 25 Aug 2018
The Office for E&E was directly involved in some core activities as part of the pre-planning and the
event itself. A member was also seconded onto Event Management Team overseeing Pastoral
Events (Youth &Teen) and programing, operations and animation of key events.
This included overseeing the historic visit of Pope Francis to St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. He met with
couples who were recently married or preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage.
Department members took on a variety of roles in assisting parishes and individuals in the local
preparation in advance of the World Meeting of Families. One team member was part of the overall
Liturgy Group, tasked to plan all liturgies for the WMOF.
Amoris Programme Facilitators Training
Over 300 participants took part in this to lead six sessions in their parishes. These facilitation skills can
be transferred to any leader working with a group in a parish using small group process.
World Meeting of Family Prayer Resources
Resources for the World Meeting of Families were sent out to all 199 parishes to use in a variety of
ways. There were also samples for leading prayers with children and parent groups.
Children’s Village Prayer Team Leaders
Two team members were asked to lead on two key activities in the Children’s Village – Leading Godly
Play in one of the prayer tents and Leading a Family Prayer Experience around the symbols of Baptism.
In each case, this department trained teams of volunteers.
18SECTION THREE
“DISCERNING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE
WITH CONTEMPORARY CULTURE.”
“The young make us see the need for new styles and new
strategies. For example, while adults often worry about
having everything properly planned, with regular meetings
and fixed times, most young people today have little interest
in this kind of pastoral approach. Youth ministry needs to
become more flexible: inviting young people to events or
occasions that provide an opportunity not only for learning,
but also for conversing, celebrating, singing, listening to real
stories and experiencing a shared encounter with the living
God.” Christus Vivit 204
Resources have been provided by the Archdiocese both in personnel and materially for St. Paul’s,
Arran Quay. Weekly and monthly faith outreach programmes take place in St. Paul’s. These include:
Leadership Training,
Experiences of faith development,
Opportunities to pray,
Outdoor activities including Retreats, Pilgrim walks and Hikes.
Outreach to teenagers is also a priority both for parishes and for the department. Some of these are
planned both in St Paul’s and in parishes.
A key shift has taken place whereby contact with youth and young adults is digital and online. Less
young people are present in their parishes, so being directly in touch with them via an online presence
is now crucial. However this does not replace personal contact.
Teen Outreach
Faithfest34
Faithfest is an initiative led by some Parish Pastoral Workers and volunteers. It takes place bi-annually
since 2012. It aims to create an event tailored to the needs of teenagers from parishes around the
Archdiocese. It includes the following elements
Input
Music
Inspirational workshops
Assists the transition of teens to age appropriate initiatives.
19 Allows young adults to volunteer with a young age group allowing for intentional peer
ministry.
185 teenagers attended in 2018-2019.
Faithfest Retreat
A Faithfest retreat for teenagers took place in June 2019 in Ovoca Manor, Co Wicklow. The theme of
the retreat was Living the Blessed Life. Over the three days, the teenagers experienced:
Inspiring testimonies
Engaged in different forms of prayer
Experienced outdoor activities
Pope John Pauls Awards35
The Pope John Paul II Award (JPII) is an award for young people aged between 16 and 18, without a
catechetical element. It is
Non-competitive
Inclusive
Flexible
Voluntary
The Award helps young people enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development.
This takes place through participation in school, parish and community activities.
The Pope John Paul II Award is now in its tenth year in the Archdiocese. 125 students received the JPII
Award in St Paul’s Church during February 2019.
Teen Hope36
‘Teen Hope’ is a new parish based outreach for Teens. Its aim is to help the young person discover
their true value and self-worth. Local leaders are trained to deliver the programme in their parish. The
scripture from Jeremiah 29:11 inspires it “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for
your peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you.” Teen Hope is a space where teens
can be themselves. It includes fun and engaging activities where friendships are deepened and an
opportunity to encounter and experience the themes of welcome, belonging and discipleship.
Young Adult Initiatives
Encounter37
Encounter is a night of live contemporary Christian music, reflective prayer in adoration, with guest
speakers.
The purpose is to provide an opportunity for young people to spend time in silent prayer.
It concludes with some social time and refreshments.
12 Encounters took place in St Paul’s Church, Arran Quay with 50-80 attending per event.
Participants also were surveyed about their experiences of Encounter.
20Book club38
St Paul has hosted a weekly book club in 2019 studying a variety of faith based and
inspirational books.
4 books were studied.
In 2019 approximately seven people attended each book club.
Young Adult Retreats
Awake My Soul39 - 21 Young Adults participated in a weekend retreat located in Ards Friary,
Donegal.
Week of Guided Prayer – St Paul’s has hosted a Week of Guided Prayer during October 2018.
Leadership and Young Adults
The Foundational Leadership Programme is an ecumenical leadership programme based in St Paul’s.
It aims to prepare young adults to reflect on leadership qualities and training to be intentional in their
faith and in their life. It is run jointly with the Office for E&E, The Irish Capuchins and the Church of
Ireland. This collaboration is both helpful, symbolic and unique.
The programme combines a mix of topics, Leadership, Scripture and Communication, Social
Immersion, Journaling and Reflective Learning.
Presenters are both expert and ecumenical in their field of discipline.
In 2019, all young adult pilgrims participating at World Youth Day completed the programme.
20 young adults were trained and participated over 7 months of leadership programme.
o Participated in 2 soup runs and 1 retreat
o Students represented 6 parishes
Some graduates have used this course to apply for employment positions and career
advancement. Some have taken on leadership roles in their parish, at World Youth Day and
at the World Meeting of Families. However some struggle to get meaningful roles in parishes
in order to lead youth initiatives.
World Youth Day40
World Youth Day takes place approximately every three years. 33 Pilgrims attended Panama World
Youth Day January with Pope Francis 2018. Dublin was the only diocese officially represented at World
Youth Day from Ireland. A small number of pilgrims from other dioceses linked in with Dublin.
Pilgrims represented 12 parishes.
Crumlin and Clondalkin parishes had groups of five pilgrims and there were five from Dublin
City University Inter-Faith Centre.
30 participated in the Anchor programme, which is a Pilgrimage Pastoral Programme, devised
for World Youth Day.41
All pilgrims were invited to attend 4 Preparation meetings and 1 reunion. These modelled a
typical day at World Youth Day, including,
o Pastoral Reflection,
o Catechesis,
o Understanding what a pilgrimage is
o Getting to know each other.
21An innovation led by the Archdiocese of Dublin was a collaboration with Aid to the Church in Need
and Youth Departments from Latvia, New Zealand, USA, Australia and UK.
A Mercy Programme was created in collaboration with the host parish in Panama, Parroquia
Santiago Apostle.42
This included young people being hosted in families in the parish, working with some children
in the parish and helping to prepare and bring food to the needy in the local parish.
Each of the national groups spent time reflecting on their experience of faith at home and
some of the challenges in being a young Catholic in the modern world.
The funding resource from Aid to the Church in Need Ireland was crucial to the Mercy
Programme.
A recommendation is to repeat this immersion experience at the next World Youth Day.
Pilgrimages and the Great Outdoors
10 Monthly Hikes for young adults around Dublin.
50 young people attended the diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock, Co. Mayo.
15 Participated in Darkness into Light, an annual walk at dawn supporting families that are
affected by suicide.
18 Attended a post-World Youth Day Retreat in Glendalough.
Digital Outreach
The Office for E&E has had a digital presence for the past ten years in conjunction with the
Communications Office. This online presence online is crucial to record of our work and the ongoing
reaching out to the new digital peripheries. The Office for E&E continues to resource this area of
pastoral ministry. Increasingly we are discovering that people are now using our digital presence to
keep in touch with matters of faith and ongoing formation throughout the diocese and beyond.
All our platforms are linked to and support the main platforms of the Archdiocese. Almost all team
members use a variety of social platforms to highlight and inform people about the work. These
include:
1 Website
7 Facebook Pages – linked to various specific initiatives, but linked to the department.
1 Instagram Page (new in 2019)
1 YouTube Channel
3000+ followers on Social Media
New Online Payment Facility for programmes and pilgrimages.
Christus Vivit43
In March 2019, Pope Francis issued an Exhortation Christus Vivit “Young People and the Entire People
of God” in March 2019.
A diocesan report was produced as part of a national submission for the Pre-Synod.
Collaboration with the National Youth and Young Adult Committee to prepare for the Synod.
4th May 2019, St Paul’s hosted a Diocesan Symposium on the Exhortation, attended by 40
young adult leaders from many youth initiatives and parishes. The St. Paul’s Team and some
from the Foundational Leadership Team led this.
22 2 young adults from Archdiocese of Dublin participated at the International Youth Forum in
May 2019 in Rome, discussing Christus Vivit and the implications for the local Church.
St Paul’s Hosted
3 Core Communities – St Gregorius Orthodox Community, St Kevin’s Community, Jesus Youth.
2 National Offices for Youth – Jesus Youth &Young Christian Workers
12 Encounters
3 Book clubs
4 World Youth Day Preparatory Events
Foundational Leadership Programme
Teen Hope Retreat Day
2 Youth Ministry Conferences
1 Symposium on Christus Vivit
1 Week of Guided Prayer
8 School Retreats – in collaboration with Jesuit Schools Belvedere College and Gonzaga
College.
4 DIT University Chaplain Meetings
1 Altar Server Retreat from Clondalkin and Brackenstown parishes.
1 Concert – Matt Maher44
1 Trocaire Prayer Service
Bell Ringers of Ireland Annual General Meeting.
“The Church and society must learn to engage with the
questions and searching’s that people express through a
range of spiritual activities. Evangelisation must always,
therefore, have a double focus: the evangelisation of the
individual, and the evangelisation of culture. Such
evangelisation of culture requires of us to find room once
more for religion appropriately, in the public square.”
(Share the Good News 22)
23Ecumenism
The office receives a broad range of enquiries from couples who adopted a child from abroad (usually
Russia) who had already received the Sacraments of Initiation at Baptism, as is the practice in the
Orthodox Church, asking pastoral advice how best to integrate the child. We also receive frequent
request from Christian congregations (usually from the orthodox world) requesting assistance in
finding a suitable places to worship in.
Ecumenical Bible Week is now in its sixth year and become an important part of the Ecumenical
Calendar in Dublin. Offering parish based events and central events it has been innovative in getting
various denominations to collaborate in the spirit of ecumenism.
1 Week of Events – Pentecost – Trinity Sunday.
6 Parish Events
5 Core Events
500+ attended overall
Collaboration with Church of Ireland, Scripture Ireland and Evangelical Alliance
Ecumenical Collaborations
Church of Ireland
Orthodoxy
Evangelical Alliance
Christ In Youth – National Research Programme
Lutheran Church
Evangelical Alliance
Faithfest and Faithfest Retreat – ecumenical partnership with Scripture Union
“The ecumenical journey that we are all
involved in should be recognised as one of the
great adventures of our time, as we learn to
support one another in living committed
Christian lives.” Share the Good News, 6
24SECTION FOUR
DISCERNING THE PATHS –
PASTORAL OBSERVATIONS
“Each Christian and every community must
discern the path that the Lord points out but
all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth
from our own comfort zone in order to reach
all the “peripheries” in need of the light of the
Gospel.” Evangelii Gaudium 20
One of the key learnings over the years has been that 'one size does not fit all'. All courses
and programmes offered try to take seriously that people's needs differ, and to use varied
adult learning methodologies. All initiatives respect the basic freedom and autonomy of
adults and encourage them to engage in open and cordial dialogue. This is one of the greatest
challenges for the Archdiocese.
Priority of Adult Faith Formation:
The Variety of Adult Faith Formation
In a changing Church there are many adults experiencing the need for further formation. This
formation is at two levels.
The first is about what could be called Catholic catch up, where many faithful parishioners have not
had opportunities to catch up at an adult level with their faith. The culture of our parishes does not
seem to value this need.
The second need is formation for service and ministries; this is more pressing than ever in light of
changing circumstances. Parishes are more likely to promote this kind of formation as it has a
utilitarian end. However many participants in these formation processes report that when they go
back to their parish they are not allowed to used their training fully.
25Ageing Parish Populations
We are conscious that the age range of those who avail of Adult Faith Formation opportunities are in
the semi-retired or retired range. This reflects the general age range in our parishes at Sunday Mass.
Team Ministry Mentality
In working with PPCs and ministry groups, it often emerges that there is no sense of being a team.
Building team mentality and approaches has to be part of training for any ministry. This building of a
‘collaborative team mind set’ needs to be understood, accepted and shared between priests and laity.
Ministry groups often work in isolation and at times do not have opportunities to relate to each other
or connect with the PPC.
Growing in Prayer and Reflective Living
A key challenge is enabling adults to become reflective about what they believe and how they live
their faith. The approach of FAITH FOR LIFE should be a template for everything else. Discerning
pastoral action needs to become part of parish life.
Formation for all
Adult Faith Formation is not just for lay people. To effect change laity and clergy need to do this
together to make an impact on parish culture.
Further Development of Parish Pastoral Councils
Initial training not enough
Many PPCs require more support than the initial training. Increasingly there are requests to work with
PPCs to help them work together with a focus on mission rather than maintenance. This is a huge
challenge in light of the ageing demographic of parishioners more familiar with maintenance than
mission. This also implies that those who are in voluntary ministries need to be continually upskilled,
accompanied and nourished.
Misunderstanding prayer, reflection & discernment
The PPC is defined as a faith-filled group. This is why the notion of prayer, reflection and discernment
is an essential concept to be grasped, if PPCs are to be truly instruments of pastoral change. We are
aware that many PPC members do not understand this concept sufficiently to connect it with pastoral
development. This year a retreat experience was offered to PPCs focusing on discernment. More
intensive training about pastoral discernment is needed.
Running out of steam
The 2013–14 Review of PPCs highlighted how there was a good start made initially in setting up PPCs
throughout the Diocese.45 However, at this stage, many PPCs are tired and their gatherings often
revert to business meetings where the day-to-day running of the parish is the focus of attention. The
distinction between the Parish Team and the PPC is often unclear and misunderstood. This leaves little
time for future thinking and forward planning for mission.
26Development of pastoral planning
The concept of pastoral planning seems to be widely misunderstood, in that most planning tends to
focus around the forthcoming pastoral year and rarely beyond this. This would indicate that PPCs
survive from year to year but perhaps do not have the capacity to look beyond to building a new future
in a strategic way. These impacts hugely on parish’s capacity to embrace change enthusiastically.
Recruitment of new members
As our parishes age together, it does become more difficult to recruit new membership especially
from a younger age range (30-45 year-olds). Finding new members is increasingly challenging. Many
PPCs are not able to attract new members of any age category.
Prioritising evangelisation
With most PPC’s are still focusing in on the day-to-day maintenance of parish life, not much time is
given over to strategies for sharing the Good News. Often the question arises about what we are
inviting people into; this can be reflected in the quality of the Liturgy. Clergy and laity struggle with
the concept, task and mission of evangelisation.
Pathways Pastoral Observations:
The Programme could continue to grow with better support and encouragement by priests and
pastoral councils in the parishes throughout the diocese. This is could be achieved through issuing
personal invitations to participate and if possible, sponsorship for lay people in their parishes.
It is important to make sure that the Programme is advertised regularly throughout all the summer
months in both Newsletters and Mass notices and that some copies of the brochure are on display.
New Pathways Options
There is room for a Second Pathways Team to operate on the Southside of the city. For this to happen
successfully there would need to be a second Director and a second Volunteer Team who would
undergo the Pathways programme for themselves to catch its spirit and methodology. Then they
would be ready to take ownership of it in their own area. With good co-ordination, some of the same
presenters could possibly be used in both venues.
“There are ecclesial structure which can hamper efforts at
evangelisation, yet even good structures are only helpful
when there is a life constantly driving, sustaining and
assessing them. Without new life and an authentic
evangelical spirit, without the Church’s “fidelity to her own
calling”, any new structure will soon prove ineffective.”
Evangelii Gaudium 26
27Pastoral Planning with a Prioritising Youth and Young Adult
In terms of youth, population in the Dublin Archdiocese area the Office for E&E is only engaging with
a small percentage. However, this connection is meaningful and life changing for many of those who
do participate. Positively there is a hunger and desire within some young people to explore faith, life
and purpose.
In the lead up to the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Office undertook a
Report on the consultation of young people the diocese for E&E.46 The data gathered for this presents
a challenging picture of the experience of young people in the diocese. It noted that the Church had
become more distant as an institution and less influential in many aspects of the life of young people.
Many parishes often cite “youth” as a concern. Few parish cater for young people in a meaningful way.
Young people noted that parishes do not create positive experiences for them to grow in faith. This
poses a serious challenge for all aspects of pastoral planning currently and in the future. Key points to
note also include,
Young people are under enormous pressure (success, mental health, peer, gender and social
media)
There is a growing social pressure and ridicule from peers if young people practice or have a
connection to Church. Young people spoke about suppressing their faith among their
contemporaries in order to avoid ridicule.
Young people have a great sense of justice, equality and fairness. Contrast this with Church
and they see an institution where inequality exists in relation to women, people who are gay
or different. Church doctrine and teaching seems far removed from their understanding of
fairness, compassion and experience of faith.
Young people still have a desire to learn, experience and have a greater role in their faith.
There is a desire by some to get involved in their parish. Many noted that parishes are not
places where this can happen mainly due to the obstacles placed by priests and parishioners.
Pilgrimages and faith-based activities that focus on mobilising groups of young people seem
to have the greatest impact on the lives of young people. Young people who encounter other
young people in a faith setting are crucial to the ongoing faith journey.
There exists little opportunities for vocational discernment among young people as parents
and priests are not inclined to encourage vocations.
Increasing Role and dependency of Social Media
Social Media is vital in developing an outreach to young people on the periphery. Our various social
media sites are central for communicating to young people who have questions of faith. They provide
a means to connect young people with their peers. Social media provides a platform for outreach and
communication to those who may not be active with communities of faith. It cannot replace the
importance of personal invitations and personal contact with people.
Teenage Outreach and the connection with key collaborators – Parish Pastoral Workers
Teenage outreach is challenging but achievable. Parish Pastoral Workers have become a key
collaboration in accompanying and connecting young teens to events and initiatives organised by the
Office for E&E. The PPW provides the necessary link with parish, parents and young people. If a parish
28has no PPW, it is more difficult to engage and connect with teens in a faith context. It is also observed
that some teens who have attended teen events have graduated to young adult activities. This is a
slow transition. However, we now have initiatives to connect the various points of contact connecting
teen ministry to young adult ministry.
Training Future Leaders
Training future leaders in the area of faith is important. Significant training has been directed towards
training young adults to be leaders of faith. These leaders will be crucial in creating a core group of
young adult faith leaders, trained to lead and animate youth ministry. It would appear that parishes
are losing contact with potential young adults suitable for volunteering for leadership. Young Adult
Leaders testify to few opportunities to lead in their local parish. This was noted in the diocesan report
prepared for the Synod on Youth, 2018 and is available on www.evangelisation.ie
Challenges
Working with young people is not easy. It is intensive work. Many young people are transient and not
rooted in parish life. Parishes need to be challenged to give and create youth ministry opportunities.
Experience shows that young people continue to be captivated when exploring their personal
relationship with Jesus.
There are few parishes taking up opportunities to engage with teenagers and young adults. A
small number of parishes have liturgical options or Gospel choirs. However while these are
commendable, they will not sustain and build up the future Christian community on its own.
The reality is that there are few opportunities for young adults to get involved in their local
parish.
St Pauls Outreach
The opening of St Paul’s Outreach Mission three years ago represents a new model of youth and young
adult ministry in the diocese. What has emerged is the development of programmes and initiatives
to accompany youth and young adults in faith.
Learning and Discerning
The Office for E&E has been tasked with a great responsibility. Significant strides have been made in
our endeavours in working together and supporting parishes and groups throughout the diocese.
There remains a concern that not every parish can benefit from our work due to the capacity to reach
the whole diocese limited by size of the E&E Team.
When 'Working Together for Mission' was initiated co-responsibility emerged as a key insight of Share
the Good News. A difficulty quickly emerged as ‘co-responsibility’ was understood to mean different
things to different people. Clericalism remains a barrier in both clergy and laity.47 There are many
reasons for this including:
The mind-set of pastoral leaders not trusting laity
Inability to reimagine news paths for mission
Laity not trusting lay leadership.
“Co-responsibility” will be realised, normative, understood and accepted ONLY if our priests and laity
take part in shared formation and training.48
29SECTION FIVE
KEY PRIORITIES FOR MOVING
FORWARD….
Introducing the theme
The work of the office has not been evangelical in the strict sense of a first proclamation of the Gospel,
even though when we look at the statistic of the 48% of those between the age of 24 and 29 in our
own diocese registered at the last census as having no religion, we wonder if we should be on the
street corner?
The Church needs to change if it is to be relevant. Of course the Church has always changed and is
always in need of reforming. Perhaps a kinder word is that the church is growing to a new maturity
and Pope Francis in his witness and by his teachings is uncompromising in how the Church is to reach
this mature place. It is to be faithful to Jesus and to his teaching. The Church, the baptised are called
to authentic Christian living with a particular regard for the poor and those who are or see themselves
on the periphery of life.49
Revisiting our Purpose Statement
To witness to Jesus Christ and His Gospel through promoting lifelong learning in faith,
building faith communities and discerning innovative ways to engage with contemporary
culture.
In light of this missionary key, is the above statement still pertinent in guiding the work of the Office?
It seems that this still speaks to the ongoing development that needs to be done in the diocese.
Towards A Plan
Pastoral planning is essential to articulate pastoral objectives in a ‘missionary key’.50 It is clear that
many of our current structures are inadequate and holding us back from becoming this missionary
Church. Any planning for the future needs to articulate the steps and stages required to develop new
ways of reaching out, underpinned by a missionary mind set. Development plans must then progress
into implementation with clear pastoral strategies for mission. Such planning requires prayerful
discernment about future parish and deanery structures. Parish communities will need
accompaniment for this led by skilled leaders and training for a new way of being parish. All of this
implies a much stronger focus on evangelisation.
30Mind the Gap! - The missing generations in Church. Who are they?51
Younger generations, those aged under fifty are increasingly less inclined to be part of their parish or
faith based groups. (See endnotes for more details) Multiple generations are disconnected. Some
reconnect as young parents when children reach the required age for the Sacraments of Initiation.
Others have a cultural attachment to the Church but not one of commitment that previous
generations demonstrated.
Parishes as Schools of Prayer
Our parishes, and this applies to the young Church too, require that our communities also become
places of encounter. This requires a greater amount of time and energy on teaching prayer and
forming convinced disciples. Without this clear focus, parish life will not sustain itself. This implies a
concentrated effort in training leaders for this kind of accompaniment ministry. Parish life will need
to be like an oasis where people are refreshed, welcomed and belong. This is the lens through which
pastoral planning should take place rather than by economic realities around viability and structures.
Forming a confident, articulate laity in contemporary culture.
St John Henry Newman saw the role of lay people as being witnesses for Christianity in the places
where they were. He wanted a laity who knew their faith and could give reasons for the hope that is
in them. Equipping laity to dialogue in the public square must be a key priority, setting up the
conditions for a New Evangelisation of culture.
The work of God
The Office for E&E has been tasked with a great responsibility. We are gifted, and we are limited but
we do work at working together and supporting each other in that work. When we gather to meet
we give a large part of the beginning of the meeting to prayer. I hope that each of us can say that we
Trust. In the first place trust God otherwise we could foolishly believe that the work depends on “me”.
Yes, we can be anxious and frustrated at what is beyond our control and we can be disappointed at
responses but also wonderfully ‘surprised’ at how God has and is at work through our efforts for which
we praise God and give thanks.
31ENDNOTES
1
Share The Good News, National Directory for Catechesis in Ireland, Irish Episcopal Conference, 2010.
2
General Directory of Catechesis, 1971, Veritas, para 172-175.
3
Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s
World, Veritas, 2013.
4
Evangelii Gaudium 33.
5
Faith for Life
18 participants from the following parishes took part during the past year: Willington, Sandyford,
Cabra, Laurel Lodge, Greystones, Rathfarnham, Dundrum, Donnybrook, Drumcondra, Rialto,
Drimnagh, Terenure, Finglas West, Malahide, Clondalkin, Sutton.
The team in Dublin are Rosemary Lavelle, (Pastoral Coordinator, Office for Evangelisation and
Ecumenism) Peter Siney, (Parish Pastoral Worker) Fr John Bracken, (Dundrum Parish), Eilis O’Reilly
and Rachel Brady (Balbriggan Parish)
It uses a variety of learning methods. The starting-point is the individual’s personal experience.
Reflection skills are taught and a deepening awareness of our personal experience and the deepening
consciousness and awareness of God in the individuals life.
The four movements of Faith for Life are carefully constructed, indicating that the call of Baptism is
inviting us into the human journey to become whole & holy (words with the same root), and
ultimately to union with God. As we go deeper into this mystery, we are transformed ourselves and
this leads to us being transformative for others. The process always has an inward, outward
movement.
The course is moderated by staff from the Archdiocese of Liverpool annually.
6
Best You Can Be
This year there were 39 participants across from Blanchardstown and Larkhill/Whitehall parishes.
The team in Dublin are Rosemary Lavelle, (Pastoral Coordinator, Office for Evangelisation and
Ecumenism) Peter Siney, (Parish Pastoral Worker) Fr John Bracken, (Dundrum Parish), and volunteers
Eilis O’Reilly and Rachel Brady (Balbriggan Parish)
Best You Can Be Aims…
To explore the nature of adult faith and how it fits in Pope Francis’ vision,
To consider the stages of faith and the participants’ images of God,
To reflect on Jesus as the One who shows us the way to be the best that we can be.
7
You Shall Be My Witnesses
An annual training in Holy Cross Diocesan Centre for parent volunteers from the following parishes
took place - Ayrfield, Glasnevin, Raheny and Rathmines with 80 participants.
Training also took place for 25 participants in Knocklyon parish over two evenings.
There is a training Powerpoint in the resource pack which has been adapted over the 10 years of its
existence.
The training is based on familiarising the parents with the content of the four sessions with children.
Each parent leader has a Leaders Book which is used in the training and needed for the four session.
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